The new Z actually looks really good and I'm glad they are making this.
But why is it still a Z4? Should we be up to the Z7 by now?
Photography Courtesy BMW
Do you feel that the ultimate driving machine should come with a stick? Well, the folks at BMW thought so, too. That’s why for 2025 they will now offer a six-speed manual for the BMW Z4 M40i.
The Handschalter package (German for hand shift) includes more than just a third pedal and a stick, though. It also comes with unique suspension tuning and staggered wheels, as well as paint colors and interior trims specific to it.
The suspension tuning includes auxiliary springs at the front and rear axles and a specially reinforced anti-roll bar clamp fitted at the front. BMW engineers also reconfigured the electronic control of the rear dampers and variable sport steering. Additionally, traction control and the M Sport differential use control logic specific to the manual version.
Staggered M light-alloy wheels come with the manual, with 19 inches up front and 20 inches in the rear.
The manual version uses the same 382-horsepower inline-six as its automatic variant. BMW says the car will do zero to 60 in 4.2 seconds. The automatic for 2024 is rated for 3.9 seconds.
The Handschalter package will add $3500 to the final price. The 2024 model, with an automatic, retails for $65,300.
The new Z actually looks really good and I'm glad they are making this.
But why is it still a Z4? Should we be up to the Z7 by now?
buzzboy said:The new Z actually looks really good and I'm glad they are making this.
But why is it still a Z4? Should we be up to the Z7 by now?
The first M3 was the E30. The E36 wasn't the M4. The E46 wasn't the M5. The E92 wasn't the M6, etc.
I will give you their modern naming conventions are stupid at best.
Nomenclature aside, BMW seems to be embracing the manuals. M2. Z4. Supra.
Good to see this. Great looking car and while manuals may not be as fast as modern automatics, so much more engaging and fun to drive.
Very Fiata-like on the front end. Not a bad thing
Totally dug my time in the Z4. And, likewise, really enjoyed the MT Supra.
So put them together and....
I wonder, is it the same box as is in the Supra? I've heard that one is good, better than most BMWs of yore, which have always had a certain rubbery feel.
CyberEric said:I wonder, is it the same box as is in the Supra? I've heard that one is good, better than most BMWs of yore, which have always had a certain rubbery feel.
Maybe? Yes? Perhaps I should have read the entire release.
But we did spend time with the MT Supra. Video evidence here:
I love manuals (we’re four for four here at the house) but don’t have anything against modern automatics. JG’s right in that the 8HP is a terrific gearbox. It’s fast and crisp. We all wished we could shift that well.
But (finally) driving the Supra with the manual was something special–like one of those 1+1=3 things. So high hopes for this pairing. Make mine in that purple, please.
CyberEric said:I wonder, is it the same box as is in the Supra? I've heard that one is good, better than most BMWs of yore, which have always had a certain rubbery feel.
The Getrag BMWs always felt a bit disconnected and rubbery while the ZF BMWs feel connected and solid.
What BMWs had a ZF manual? I must have never driven them, because every BMW I have ever driven felt like it was connected to cartilage.
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